CP_MBHC_20230510_1_A01
DIXEY COLLECTION
Remembering Lockerbie’s
IN THIS ISSUE
Page 3
TOWN MEETING
SPORTS
$2.5M general override heads to ballot
Quartet wins twice as records fall
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Page 9
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MARBLEHEAD, MA PERMIT NO. 25
NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.
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May 10, 2023
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VOLUME 1, ISSUE NO. 24
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MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG
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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT
TOWN MEETING: THAT’S A WRAP
Voters endorse remote access, transparency Select Board chair’s challenge to approval of traffic board ruled out of order BY WILLIAM J. DOWD, KRIS OLSON AND LEIGH BLANDER After three nights of sometimes raucous discussion, Town Meeting wrapped up on May 3 with votes to form a Traffic Safety Committee, urge town committees and boards to make meetings more accessible and transparent, and to create standard operating procedures
manuals for the Select Board and regulatory boards and commissions. “Let’s write it down, let’s follow it to the best of our knowledge,” said School Committee Chair Sarah Fox who spoke in favor of Article 54, sponsored by the Marblehead group PowerUp, to create manuals. “It will help volunteerism in this town. The more people know what a board
does, the more likely they will get involved.” It took an extra 30 minutes to get the 300-resident quorum required to start the meeting. Resident Dan Albert spoke first for his proposed Traffic Safety Committee, Article 49, which was approved. “It’s not the end of the fight for safer streets, it’s the beginning,” Albert said. “But it’s a critical first step.”
According to Town Planner Becky Cutting, this comes on top of an already existing traffic advisory committee overseen by the public safety departments and a Complete Streets Committee. But in the lead-up to Town Meeting, Albert expressed his vision that the committee created by Article 49 would consolidate and replace those other committees, which he said
Carnival draws families, teens Over the sunny and warm weekend, the Devereux Beach Carnival attracted families and teenagers. The event is a school fundraiser. People enjoyed a variety of rides, games and food. Marblehead Current photographer Nicole Goodhue Boyd was on hand to capture the time-honored tradition Sunday. To see a gallery of her photos, visit marbleheadcurrent.org.
had become defunct. Later in the session, after the meeting had moved on to other articles, Select Board Chair Moses Grader tried to move to reconsider the vote on Article 49. But because he had voted “no” on the proposal initially, his motion was rejected by Town Moderator Jack Attridge. WRAP, P. A5
UNDER THE GOLDEN COD
‘Keep it ringing’
Old North Church wants to restore belfry, steeple BY WILLIAM J. DOWD
CURRENT PHOTOS/ NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD
Sarah Same and her daughter Hayden, 5, ride the Moby Dick at the annual Devereux Beach Carnival on Sunday, May 7. Twins Julia and Emma Gjinaj are all smiles after winning a prize.
About two weekends ago, Old North Church congregants entered their church’s attic and came across wildlife that decided to take up residency in the house of worship. “We were hauling dump barrels up into the attic, and a raccoon ran right in front of us,” said Sally Sands. “And that raccoon turned out to have four babies.” Sands shared the story in an interview with the Marblehead Current to highlight several issues that need to be addressed with Old North Church’s historic property. The congregation has launched a capital campaign — called “Keep It Ringing” — to restore its bell tower, which sits beneath an iconic golden cod weathervane. The church has so far raised nearly twothirds of its goal, but church leaders are now seeking financial support from the community at large. “We’re now up to $650,329 of a $1 million goal, and this is without going public,” said Sands, the capital campaign’s chair, following Sunday’s service. “This is just from lead donors and committee members, and we’re just starting to get donations from the congregation and the public.” Founded in 1635, Marblehead’s Old North Church has been providing ministry
People enjoy the annual Devereux Beach Carnival.
CHURCH, P. A13
‘HARD LOVE’
Town, Celtics say goodbye to Heather Walker BY LEIGH BLANDER Hundreds of family members, friends and members of the Celtics organization gathered on May 5 to celebrate the life of Marblehead mom and Celtics VP Heather COURTESY PHOTO Walker, who passed away Hundreds came out to celebrate last month the life of Heather after a nearly Walker, who died two-year last month of battle with brain cancer. glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. She was 52.
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
“It’s ironic that we’re here to honor Heather right in the middle of the playoffs,” said Celtics team chaplain Rev. Robert Gray with a smile. “I think she pulled some strings.” Several members of the Celtics front office filled the deck at the Eastern Yacht Club where the memorial was held. Tacko Fall, who played with the team from 2019 to 2021, came to pay respects. Celtics President Rich Gotham spoke about the day he was introduced to Walker at an event. “She told me, ‘Oh, you have to hire me. I’d be perfect.’ And, in fact, she was. It’s true to say that the Celtics would never be the same,” he said.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Former Celtic player Tacko Fall, center, was among the hundreds of people who came to honor Heather Walker.
Walker worked with the Celtics as vice president of public relations for 16 years before her illness, partnering with players to promote the
team. When the Celtics won the NBA championship in 2008, she grew especially close with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and James Posey.
The team honored Walker as a “Hero Among Us” last year. And in a game right after she died, Celtics players wore special T-shirts with a heart and Walker’s initials. Gotham read notes from several Celtics top brass, praising Walker for her kindness, warmth and energy. “She was known as ‘Hurricane Heather,’” he said to laughs in the room. Gotham also announced that the Celtics would name the team’s media room in Walker’s honor. President Biden’s message After her diagnosis, Walker WALKER, P. A13